Transparency
The Novartis Social Business (NSB) mindset is one of continuous learning, adaptation and sharing. We share achievements as well as dilemmas and challenges, and we foster dialogue with the global health community. Given the magnitude of healthcare challenges, we know that only multisector coalitions, built on transparency and trust, can bring about sustainable solutions.
For instance, measuring the outcomes and impact our programs have on people’s health has been (and still is) a challenge for our company, and the pharma sector in general. We know several of our programs have brought health education and services to places where these were previously nonexistent, but we are still mainly measuring outputs, not outcomes.
Accelerating impact through measurement and evaluation (M&E)
For the past three years, we have been working with Boston University (BU) School of Public Health to build M&E into the core of Novartis Access. In particular, we conducted a baseline study with BU to evaluate the impact of Novartis Access in Kenya.
The study produced several important findings, including that the poorest are located in “medicine deserts,” where a lack of competition leads to higher prices. We also found that most noncommunicable disease (NCD) patients in Kenya purchase their medicines from private sector outlets – more accessible for much of the population but where prices are on average higher than those at public outlets.
The M&E framework developed by BU is accessible online, and it is starting to gain recognition as an industry standard.
We are now applying this framework in Ethiopia, as part of our partnership with the Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET) to help decentralize NCD care.
Read the results of the study in The Lancet Global Health
Read the related opinion piece: The coming evaluation revolution in corporate responsibility
Engaging the global health community in dialogue
We engage with health and development communities in stakeholder dialogues across the world. Learn more about our previous stakeholder events:
May 2019, Kampala
Innovative solutions to bridge unmet healthcare needs in Asia
November 2018, Singapore
Exploring the future of access to healthcare in lower-income countries
November 2017, Basel
Improving care for chronic patients in lower-income countries: the patient journey
November 2016, Basel
Partnering for impact: addressing the burden of noncommunicable diseases in lower-income countries
May 2016, Geneva